The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-03
THE CHICAGO ART INSTITUTE.

The magnificent building which is repre-
sented above, from henceforth to be the home
of the art treasures of Chicago and per-
manent Art Museum for the people, was
opened to the public last week. tits situated
on the corner of Michigan avenue and Van
Buren, street. The building, with the land
on which it stands, is worth $260,0e0.
The art schools, which have row a per-
manent home in this noble structure, have
been in operation some eight years. The
institute has been making steady progress
during these years, and it has now achieved
position which ranks it justly among the
similar institutions of New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and Cincinnati. 1t has future
of wide usefulness before it, and will no
doubt exercise large influence in the de-
velopment of the artistic skill and taste of
the West.
In 1879 a certificate of incorporation was
obtained for the Chicago Academy of Fine
Arts, the progenitor of the present organiza-
tion. In 1882 the name of the corporation
was changed to that of "The Art Institute of
Chicago" In the year 1883 the executive
committee consummated the purchase of
the very desirable property on the southwest
corner of Michigan avenue and Van Buren,
street, on which the building now stands.
The following is complete list of the Off
cers--18S7-189S:
President, y. L. HUTCHINSON; yico-f fesia
dent, Edison Keith; Treasurer, L. j. Gage
Secretary, II. N. Carpenter; Director W. M.
R. French. Executive Committee, chosen
from the trustees: O. L. Hutchinson, Edison
Keith, j. H. Dole, W. T. Baker, Henry Field,
G. D. Hamill, John G. Black.
As may be seen by our sketch the building
presents very solid appearance, and is mas
sive even in external ornamentation. The
interior has a handsome hall, with an at
tractive frieze from the Parthenon, and mas
sive square pillars capped with arches that
support board staircase with double land
ings environed with intricate and artistic
Venetian iron work. This is the only feature
ton. The large galleries have their walls
pleasingly colored, are high, airy, and we'll
| lighted, with nothing in the way of decora-
ton unless one is given to the admiration of
the substantial. The basement is devoted
to class work, the first floor to museum and
galleries, the second floor to galleries, and
an adjoining building devoted exclusively to
class-rooms. In all there are sixteen gal
leries, thirteen of which are given to the ex-
hibition. The tenants of the institute, oc-
cupying apartments on various floors, are
the Decorative Art Society, the Fortnightly
Woman's Club, the Chicago Literary Club,
and a number of artists for whom studios
have been fitted up. The schools, day and
evening, are on the Van Buren, side of the
building, and are attended by about 800
students.
1t is eheerfully acknowledged in Chicago
that the city owes this splendid building and
the present prosperous condition of the in
stitute to its President, Mr.. CHARLES l..
HUToHINsON. This gentleman has for several
years been actively interested in the enter
prise and has given very largely in money
and valuable time to its development ellis
! first association with the institute" remarks
| the Inter Ocean, twas in 1881, and, modest
and unassuming, he Immediately developed
those qualities of energy and enterprise that
marked his successful business career. Al
though the junior of all his associates in the
enterprise, he was soon elected its president,
and at once assumed the active control of
its affairs, and the new Art Institute stands
monument to his generalship." Mr.
Hutchinson is well known in our church as
the superintendent of St. Paul's Universalist
! Sunday school in this city, and actively in
terested in the management of the parish.
He has grown up in st. Paul's Church. We
have only recently recorded his munifcent
gift to the parish in paying one-half of the
cost of the new Sunday-school chapel on
Prairie avenue, Mr.. IL. N. Higginbotham
being his equal partner in this munifcent
gift.
Mr.. Epson KEITH, Vice president of the
Art Institute, and liberal benefactor of the
enterprise, is also a we'll known member of
St. Pauls parish. 1t was mainly through his
influence and generosity that the heavy debt
carried by st. PaUl's Church for so many
years was successfully liquidated in 1881.
Mrs. ADDIE NJ. II. ELLIS, also ranks as one
of the largest benefactors of the Art Insti-
tute. She has made large bequest, one
half of which, amounting to nearly $4,000,
has been expended for sculpture and casts,
the endowment being in the form of mem
orial Of her well known husband, ELnRIDGE
q. HALL, for many years a member of st.
Paul's Church Mrs Ellis has also donated
70 the Institute a valuable collection of books
on art and architecture, gathered by the late
DIR. Ellis while in Europe, which will be in
creased hereafter, and will be preserved as
memorial Of SUMNER ELLIS. Thus the Art